DE2943421A1 - ELECTRIC CIGARETTE LIGHTER - Google Patents

Description

SQUIRREL SpA
Camblano (Turin) Italy

Electric cigarette lighter

The invention relates to an electric cigarette lighter (short: lighter), with a hollow elongated holder that is open at a first end and close inside a second end, a ferrule made from a substantially U-shaped bimetal strip comprising two through a yoke interconnected jaws, with the yoke secured to the bracket and with an electrical connection flag of the lighter is connected, with an insertable in the holder elongated connecting sleeve ^ with a movable Unit which is slidably arranged in the connecting sleeve and comprises: a push button which is inserted into the Bracket inserted connecting sleeve from the open end the bracket protrudes, and a Brenne quiet nt in the form of a Metal capsule containing an electrical resistance element, which forms a front surface of the fuel assembly on which a cigarette can be brought into contact, one end of the

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Resistance elements electrically connected to the capsule and the other end can be connected to a second terminal lug of the igniter, and to a spring element which is between of the connecting sleeve and the movable unit is effective, so that when the connecting sleeve is inserted into the holder the spring element urges the unit away from the second end of the holder into a first position in which the fuel assembly capsule is out of contact with the jaws of the clamping sleeve, the movable unit being displaceable into a second position by pressing the pushbutton against the force of the spring element in which the size of the capsule from the cheeks the clamping sleeve includes and held and the resistance element is electrically excited, so that the excited by the Resistive element radiated heat causes the jaws of the collet to warm and open, causing the capsule released and the movable unit is returned to its first position under the force of the spring element.

Ignitors of this type are generally intended for installation in motor vehicles. Most motor vehicles are today Equipped as standard with an electric igniter, which is mass-produced.

In motor vehicles, the lighter is normally mounted on the dashboard or the instrument panel or immediately below this panel.

All known igniters of this type are essentially designed as elongated cylinders. The hollow bracket has Sleeve shape, and its second end is closed by a base on which the butt of the bimetal clamping sleeve is secured is. The jaws of the collet protrude to the open end of the bracket. The connecting sleeve is also cylindrical and forms the housing of a so-called "candle" or glow part. Furthermore, it has the sliding in the connecting sleeve

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movable unit essentially cylindrical shape. That the The end of this unit facing the base of the holder holds the fuel element, the front surface of which is towards the clamping sleeve and is directed towards the ground.

In the known igniters of the type specified, the incandescent front surface of the fuel assembly is at the end of the Glow part. This has the following disadvantage: when the driver of a vehicle takes the glow part off the dashboard, the incandescent front surface of the Brenneleinsts the dashboard facing. In order to be able to light a cigarette held in the mouth, the driver has to turn the glow part by 180, see above that the incandescent surface is facing him. This process is, firstly, inconvenient and, secondly, can occur while driving be dangerous.

The object of the invention is to create a lighter type mentioned at the beginning, the use of which requires a simpler and therefore less dangerous manual process.

This object is achieved with the igniter according to the invention in that the connecting sleeve has at least one opening in a side wall, the fuel element being fastened with its front surface facing this side wall, so that the hole of the clamping sleeve is fastened to the side wall in such a way that the two jaws transversely within the holder, and in that the movable unit is arranged so that the front surface of the fuel element is in its first position with the orifice cover and and held in its second position, in which the edge of the capsule surrounded by the jaws _{t is} the front surface of the fuel assembly facing the yoke of the Kleram sleeve.

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Thus the front surface of the fuel assembly is not finished the connecting sleeve, but accessible on one side of the same. So it is when using the lighter only required the detachable glow part (the one through the connecting sleeve and the movable unit is formed) to rotate about 90 ° so that the incandescent surface of the fuel assembly can be brought to the end of a cigarette held in the mouth. Hence the arm movement of the user easier, more convenient and less dangerous than known lighters.

The invention thus specifies a lighter for use in a dashboard of a motor vehicle a fixed hollow holder and a removable elongated glow member normally inserted therein. Of the The glow part comprises an electrically excitable fuel element and an outer connecting sleeve surrounding it. For the easier When using the lighter, the working surface of the fuel assembly is arranged so that it is laterally in the connecting sleeve and an access opening is formed in the side wall of the connecting sleeve. With this design of the glow part the user normally needs the after removing the glow part from the bracket attached to the dashboard Only turn the glow part by 90 ° in order to be able to light a cigarette held between the lips.

The invention is illustrated by way of example using the drawing explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the fixed bracket and the pull-out glow part of the lighter;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lighter;

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3 shows a perspective view of the igniter, with the stationary holder in a plate mounted and the glow part is arranged in its normal rest position;

Fig. * F shows a longitudinal section through the igniter, wherein the glow part is in the rest position;

FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section similar to FIG. K , the igniter being shown in a heating phase of the fuel assemblies; FIG.

6 shows a section VI-VI according to FIG. 5; and FIG. 7 shows a section VII-VII according to FIG. 5.

The lighter comprises a hollow holder IG made of drawn Metal sheet. The bracket 10 is elongated and at one end open minded. In cross section, the holder IO is essentially rectangular.

At its open end, the holder 10 has a peripheral flange 12.

The holder 10 is in a rectangular opening A {cf. 4) mountable in a wall P; the wall P can either be part of an instrument panel or a dashboard of a motor vehicle or a retaining arm secured below such a panel. The fastening means for fixing the bracket IO in place are not shown and can be of any suitable type. After installation, the bracket 10 extends rearwardly from the sand P and its flange 12 rests against the outer surface of the wall P. As with known lighters, the flange 12 can be surrounded by a luminous ring (not shown).

The mounting of the holder 10 on the wall P is preferably carried out in such a way that the two walls 16 and 16 of the holder 10, which have the largest area, are vertically oriented. Oas of des?

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Flange 12 distal end (i.e. the one at the rear of the panel P lying end) of the holder 10 is closed. A clamping sleeve 18 is arranged near the closed end, which is formed from an essentially U-shaped bimetal strip and a yoke 20 and two resilient jaws 22 includes.

The yoke 20 is attached to the wall 14 - via insulating spacer washers 24 - with a central rivet 26. The rivet 26 also secures an electrical terminal lug 28 on the outside of the wall 14, with one of the spacer washers 24 the connection lug 28 isolated from the wall 14. Of the The purpose of the connection lug 28 is to produce an electrical connection between the positive terminal of the vehicle battery and the clamping sleeve 18.

A second terminal lug 30 is welded directly onto the outside of the holder 10 and is used for connection the negative battery terminal.

The holder 10 is assigned a removable part, the "candle" or the lamp part of the lighter. This glow part has as the main component, a connecting sleeve 32 made of sheet metal of elongated shape. The connecting sleeve 32 has a rectangular cross-section with only slightly smaller dimensions than Bracket 10.

The connecting sleeve 32 has two walls 34, 36 with a larger area and two walls 38 with a smaller area. In the preferred mounting position of the lighter in which the longer sides of the opening A run vertically, are the two larger-area walls 34, 36 of the in the holder 10 inserted connecting sleeve 32 also vertically oriented. The two walls 34, 36 each have circular

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round openings 40, 42. Each of these openings opens on one side in a substantially rectangular cutout 44. The cutouts 44 are on the sides of the Openings 40, 42 which are closest to that end of the connecting sleeve 32 after the connecting sleeve has been inserted 32 in the holder 10 is furthest away from the closed end of the holder 10. Every section a transverse slot 46 running parallel thereto is assigned. Each cutout 44 is from its associated transverse slot 46 by a sheet metal crosspiece that forms part of the corresponding wall 34 or 36 forms, separately.

Each cutout 44 is flanked by two tongues 50 "which in the connecting sleeve 32 protrude. Each tongue 50 is small with respect to the transverse webs 48 in the direction of the associated Opening 40 or 42 arranged. The tongues 50 are formed by stamping.

In the connecting sleeve 32, a small sheet metal plate 52 is arranged, the cracks of which de <a inner cross section of the connecting sleeve 32 correspond. During the assembly of the lighter, the small sheet metal plate 52 is inserted into the connecting sleeve 32 inserted {from the right in Figs ^ 3, 4 and 5) until they are at the edges of the tongues 50 rests. The transverse webs 48 are then bent inward using a suitable tool so that that they assume the configuration of FIG. In this way the small sheet metal plate 52 is between the tongues 50 and the transverse webs 48 are held firmly clamped and forms a transverse separating plate within the connecting sleeve 32.

The partition plate 52 has a central opening 54 which is formed by a passage 56 . A rod 5S is slidably disposed in the opening 54 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the connecting sleeve 32 ^

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The end of the rod 58, which is closest to the closed end of the holder 10 when the connecting sleeve 32 is inserted into the holder 10, carries a square plate 60 with a central opening. The plate 60 has two main surfaces which face the walls 34 and 36. A fuel assembly 62 or 64 is attached to each major surface; the fuel assemblies are arranged with the rear sides to one another. Each fuel assembly 62,64 is of conventional type and comprises a capsule 66 having a contoured peripheral edge. Each capsule 66 contains a spirally wound electrical resistance wire 68 of known type, the radially outer end of which is electrically connected to the capsule and the inner end of which is electrically connected to a central core which is insulated from the rest of the capsule. The two cores are connected to one another by a threaded pin 70 which penetrates an opening 72 formed in the center of the plate 60 and fixes the two fuel elements 62, 64 in their position on opposite sides of the plate 60. The radially inner end of each heating wire is electrically connected to rod 58 via its associated core, set screw 70 and plate 60.

A ceramic insulating disk 74 is arranged between each capsule 66 and the plate 60, so that each capsule is electrically isolated with respect to the metal rod 58.

The assembly of the fuel elements 62, 64 on the rod 58 takes place so that the front surfaces of the two resistance wire spirals 68 each face one of the walls 34 and 36 of the connecting sleeve 32. These front surfaces of the Resistance wire coils 68 form incandescent surfaces for lighting a cigarette when the lighter is in operation.

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As previously mentioned, the rod 58 is in the opening 54 of the Implementation 56 of the partition plate 52 is arranged displaceably. As a result, not only the sliding movement of the rod 58 guided in the longitudinal direction of the connecting sleeve 32 and the holder 10, but also a good electrical contact between the rod and the partition plate 52 ensured. The partition plate 52 itself makes good electrical contact with the connecting sleeve 32 made of sheet metal.

The end 74 of the rod 58, which is on the opposite side of the partition plate to the fuel assemblies 62, 64 52 (i.e., to the right of divider plate 52 in Figures 2, 4 and 5), is corrugated and press fit into a blind hole 76 of a push button 78 fitted.

The push button 78 is made of injection-molded plastic and has a base part 80. This has a rectangular cross-section, which essentially corresponds to that of the connecting sleeve 32. The base part 80 of the push button 78 merges into a flatter front part 82 which is shaped so that the Gripping the push button 78 by one hand {cf. Fig. 7) facilitated will.

A helical compression spring 84 acts at one end against the partition plate 52 and at the other end against the base part 80 of the push button 78. A washer 86 is arranged between the spring 84 and the base part 80. The compression spring 84 urges the movable unit, consisting of the pushbutton 7S _f, the rod 58 and the fuel assemblies 62 and £ 4, so that it moves relative to the connecting sleeve 32 in a direction which, when the connecting sleeve 32 is inserted into the holder 10 , corresponds to the movement of the unit vöbi closed end of the bracket 10 away to the outside.

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The connecting sleeve 32 is assigned a housing 88 made of hard plastic. The housing 88 has a substantially rectangular cross-section. The connecting sleeve 32 is partially inserted into the housing 88 which protrudes toward the push button 78. 3ede of the smaller walls 38 of the connecting sleeve 32 has an outwardly projecting tongue 90 which is formed by stamping. The tongues 90 snap into corresponding ones Holes 92 of the housing 88 and hold the housing 88 with the connecting sleeve 32 firmly together. the Inner surfaces of the housing 88, through their interaction with the base part 80 of the push button 78, form a guide for the Sliding movement of the push button 78. The outer surfaces of the housing 88 form a guide for sliding the connecting sleeve 32 in holder 10.

The connecting sleeve 32, the housing 88 and the movable unit including the pushbutton 72 and the fuel elements 62, 6k together form a glow part which can be pushed into the holder 10 through the open end thereof.

In FIG. K , the glow part is inserted into the holder 10 in a normal rest position, in which it is positioned over an enlarged edge 9k (see ), which runs around the innermost end of the connecting sleeve 32, is held .

This snap-fit of the spring tongues 96 over the edge 9k prevents the glow part from falling out of the holder 10 as a result of vibrations and bumps while driving.

When the glow part assumes its normal rest position (cf. FIG. K), the spring 8k causes the entire front part 82 of the pushbutton 78 to protrude from the housing 88 and beyond the flange 12 of the holder 10. The movable unit comprising the two fuel assemblies 62, 6k lies in a first

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Position in which each fuel bundle is aligned with one of the openings 4-0 and hZ.

When the lighter is used, the push button 78 is depressed against the force of the spring Qh , so that the entire movable unit is pushed further into the holder 10 by sliding it in the connecting sleeve 32. In this way, the movable unit is moved into a second position (cf. FIG. 5) in which the two fuel elements 62, 6h are aligned with the clamping sleeve 18. The spring jaws have a concave profile which corresponds to the circular profile of the capsule 66 (cf. FIG. 7). Each spring jaw 22 preferably has a front edge part 22a which is bent backwards and which facilitates the insertion of the capsule 66 between the jaws ZZ. The holding force exerted on the movable unit by the cold spring jaws 22 is designed so that it is sufficient to counteract the outwardly directed force exerted by the compression spring 84.

In the second position of the movable unit (see FIG. 5), the edge of the capsule 66 of the fuel element 6h rests on a spring strip 98 which is fastened with the rivet 26 to the yoke 20 of the clamping sleeve 18. The spring strip 98 forms an electrical connection between the positive terminal of the vehicle battery and the capsule 66 of the fuel assembly 6h,

The electrical connection of the middle ends of the two resistance wire coils 6B to the negative terminals of the vehicle battery results from the electrical contact between the connecting sleeve 32 and the holder 10, in particular between the edge 9h and the spring tongues 96.

So when the movable unit takes its second position, are the two resistance wires 68 across the vehicle battery

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electrically connected and heated by red glow. The wick 20 of the clamping sleeve 18 is heated by the heat emanating from the resistance wire 68 of the fuel assembly 62, whereby the two bimetal jaws 22 open and release the fuel element 62 and thus the entire movable unit, which then under the action of the spring 84- in their first position returns.

The user then grips the pushbutton 78 in the manner shown in FIG. 1 and removes the glow part from the holder 10. The incandescent front surfaces of the two resistance wire coils 68 are now through the openings 40 and 42 accessible, and each of them can be lit. a cigarette.

In a left-hand drive vehicle, the driver typically grasps pushbutton 78 with the right hand, and through a rotation of his arm by 90, it is therefore easy to light the left incandescent fuel assembly with the Bringing cigarette into contact. The one next to the driver seated passenger normally grasps the push button 78 with the left hand and is therefore more convenient for him to use a similar twisting motion of the left arm to light a cigarette using the right fuel assembly.

Of course, various modifications of the igniter are also conceivable. For example, the lighter can be used without the second Fuel assembly 6% and the associated opening 42 made will. In this case, the preferred arrangement of the lighter used is such that the access opening for the Fuel element having wall of the connecting sleeve is rotated upwards when the connecting sleeve is in the holder is used. With this arrangement, the user can determine whether the glowing part is removed with a block

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Fuel assembly is glowing properly. Besides, the user needs even in the embodiment with only one fuel assembly turn his arm only substantially about 90, which is easier than that required with conventional lighters Arm movement.

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Claims (1)

Expectations I. Electric cigarette lighter, - With a hollow elongated holder which is open at a first end and an inside near a second end Clamping sleeve made of a substantially U-shaped bimetal strip, comprising two jaws connected to one another by a yoke, carries, - The yoke is secured to the bracket and connected to an electrical connection lug of the lighter, - with an elongated connecting sleeve that can be inserted into the holder, - with a movable unit, which is in the connecting sleeve is slidably arranged and comprises: - A pushbutton which, when the connecting sleeve is inserted into the holder, comes out of the open end of the holder protrudes, and - a fuel assembly in the form of a metal capsule which contains an electrical resistance element which forms a front surface of the fuel assembly on which a cigarette can be brought into contact, - One end of the resistance element being electrically connected to the capsule and the other end to a second terminal lug of the lighter can be connected, and - With a spring element which is effective between the connecting sleeve and the movable unit, so that in the 24- (53037) -Schö 030038/0581 ORlGiMAL ^! >? S? ECTED Bracket inserted connecting sleeve, the spring element, the unit away from the second end of the bracket in a applied to the first position in which the fuel assembly capsule is out of contact with the jaws of the clamping sleeve, - wherein the movable unit by pressing the push button against the force of the spring element in a second Position is displaceable, in which the circumference of the capsule of the jaws of the clamping sleeve and held and the resistance element is electrically excited, so that the radiated by the excited resistance element Heat causes the jaws of the collet to warm and open, thereby releasing the capsule and the movable unit is returned to its first position under the force of the spring element, characterized, - That the connecting sleeve (32) has at least one opening (40) in a side wall (34), - wherein the fuel element (62) is fastened with its front surface facing this side wall (34), - That the 3och (20) of the clamping sleeve (18) on the side wall (34) is attached so that the two jaws (22) extend transversely within the holder {10), and - That the movable unit is arranged in such a way that in its first position the front surface of the fuel assembly (62) is in congruence with the opening (40) and in its second position in which the edge of the capsule (66) is covered by the jaws (22 ) is encompassed and held, the front surface of the fuel element (62 ) facing the yoke (20) of the clamping sleeve (IS) 1st. 2 * lighter according to claim 1, characterized, - that the mobile unit comprises a second fuel assembly (£ 4), the front surface of which is opposite to that of the first fuel assembly (62) » O3OO3Ö / OS81 - wherein the connecting sleeve (32) has a second side wall opening (42) corresponding to the position of the front surface of the second fuel assembly (64) in the first Has position of the movable unit, and - That an electrical connection element (98) provides an electrical connection between the clamping sleeve (18) and the capsule (66) of the second fuel assembly (64) produces when the movable unit assumes its second position. 3. Lighter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - That the movable unit comprises a rod (58), at one end of which the pushbutton (78) and at the other end The end of the fuel assembly or the fuel assemblies (62, 64) are secured, - That the connecting sleeve (32) is an inner transverse separating element (52) having an opening (54) through which the rod (58) extends, and - that the spring element is a helical compression spring (8A-), which surrounds the rod (58) and with one end against the separating element (52) and with the other end against the Push button (78) works. 4. Lighter according to Claim 3, characterized in that that the opening (54) of the separating element (52) is formed by a passage (56). 5. Lighter according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that - That the holder (10), the connecting sleeve (32) and its inner separating element (32) are made of sheet metal and the rod (58) is a metal rod, - That the second connection lug (30) on the holder (10) is appropriate, and 030038/0581 - That the electrical connection between the second terminal lug (30) and the resistance element or the resistance elements (68) by metal contact between the holder (10) and the connecting sleeve (32) and between the separating element (52) and the rod (58) is. 6. Lighter according to claim 5,
characterized, that the separating element (52) is a small sheet metal plate, which is in the connecting sleeve (32) by pushing between after inside curved parts (48-50) of the connecting sleeve (32) is held. 7, lighter according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that that the connecting sleeve (32) at its end near the pushbutton (78) has a housing (SS) made of hard plastic on its outer surface holding the outer surface of the housing (88) with the bracket <IG) so throws together that a leadership for inserting the connecting sleeve (32) into the holder (10) is formed, and the inner surfaces of the housing (88) with the push button (78) to form a guide for their Cooperate shifting movement. 8 * lighter according to one of claims 5-7, characterized, that the end of the connecting sleeve (32) which, when the connecting sleeve {32) is inserted into the holder (IG), lies next to the targeted end of the holder iiO) has a larger edge <9 ^), which is provided with inwardly projecting spring tongues (96) snaps into place on the holder (10) and holds the connecting sleeve (32) firmly inserted into the holder (10), 030038/0581 9. Lighter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the holder (10) and the connecting sleeve (32) have a rectangular cross-section, the opening or the openings (^ 0, k2) being formed in one of the large-area walls or in both large-area walls (3 ^, 36) of the connecting sleeve (32) are. IU. Lighter according to claim 9, characterized, that the housing (88) and a base part (80) of the push button (78) have a rectangular cross-section. 030038/0581